Need Clarification

officer · Nov 30, 2009

Do MOC's nominate 10 people total, or 10 people per academy (which would equal 40 kids)?

Pima · Nov 30, 2009

They can nominate UP TO 10 candidates per SA for each slot they have open...i.e. MOC's can have 5 charged at any given time for each SA, that means if they have only 3 charged they have 2 vacancies = 20 candidates. MOCS are not required to submit a slate of 10, thus, they can also decide to only nom 1 person or 10 for each slate.

tucker92 · Nov 30, 2009

(Up to) 10 persons per academy.

officer · Nov 30, 2009

So statisticly speaking, is it easier to get a nom or to get an appointment?

PotentialParent · Nov 30, 2009

Easier to get a nomination. Here is the profile for USMA class of 2013. This information is at the USMA website in more detail. This will give you an idea of the numbers.

Applicant Files Started ...11,107
Nominated .................... 3,729
Qualified (academically
& physically) ............ .... 2,058
Admitted ................. .... 1,299

NavIss58 · Nov 30, 2009

I've seen the question asked several times, so I declined to. But this has been nagging me for some time now, our MOC has this text on their web site..."I am pleased to have nominated the following Cadets and Midshipmen for the Class of 2013. Each of these Plebes will soon attend the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, NY, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY, the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Co., or one of our nation’s esteemed military preparatory academies."

I've considered it to be perhaps a typo of some sort. They have 13 names listed (no problem with the math there), of these, there are 4 USAFA nominations, 4 USNA nominations, 3 USMA nominations, 1 USMMA nomination, and 1 USMA Prep School nomination. I'm okay with the nomination numbers (although I think they had many more nomination slots left unfilled) but something seems amiss about the fact that "each of these plebes will attend".

I guess it could occur that all five (or any number up to five) slots could possibly open at any academy in a single year, kind of like a galactic alignment of sorts, for this MOC. I'm a getting that right?

titan2010 · Nov 30, 2009

that could be it. I would think otherwise, though.
That could simply be a list of those nominated, not those appointed.

OR... most of those names are alternates (they were not ranked 1 on the nomination slate) and SA picked them out of the national waiting list or from LoAs. This is common in competitive districts. Only the number 1 ranked nom gets "charged" to a MoC. The other 9 nominated are thrown into a national pool and whichever SA picks the rest of the class from there.

PotentialParent · Dec 1, 2009

This is where the LOA's become important. Likely that several of the appointed names had LOA's. They do not count against a MOC's numbers, but as long as they are on the list of 10 nominees they get in. That is why people get so excited when they get an LOA. This is where it counts.

Just_A_Mom · Dec 1, 2009

After all the MOC slots are filled - the one's with out appointments are "alternates".
Each academy has space for 150 qualifed alternates. This is also referred to the National Pool. MOC slots that are not filled by nominations are also added to the national pool but not charged to any MOC.

It is very possible that a MOC will more than one appointment for each slot available.

Pima · Dec 1, 2009

I've seen the question asked several times, so I declined to. But this has been nagging me for some time now, our MOC has this text on their web site..."I am pleased to have nominated the following Cadets and Midshipmen for the Class of 2013. Each of these Plebes will soon attend the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, NY, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY, the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Co., or one of our nation’s esteemed military preparatory academies."

I've considered it to be perhaps a typo of some sort. They have 13 names listed (no problem with the math there), of these, there are 4 USAFA nominations, 4 USNA nominations, 3 USMA nominations, 1 USMMA nomination, and 1 USMA Prep School nomination. I'm okay with the nomination numbers (although I think they had many more nomination slots left unfilled) but something seems amiss about the fact that "each of these plebes will attend".

I guess it could occur that all five (or any number up to five) slots could possibly open at any academy in a single year, kind of like a galactic alignment of sorts, for this MOC. I'm a getting that right?

The reason you see the Senator stating that these candidates will be attending is because some come in from different sources, but were on their list. It is symantics. These are cadets from your state that he/she nominated. It does not mean they were actually charged to your MOC. For all you know, they were charged to the Congressman, but were also on their slate.

Also, as stated prior, a cadet with an LOA that gets a nom from an MOC does not mean they will be charged to the MOC, but that nom was needed to get the apptmt.

It takes forever to understand the process because there are so many intricacies within the appointment process once you have the nom to grasp how they can manipulate the system. For example, if you went at face value, you would have to question how twins both got in if each only had 1 nom from the same source. It happens because 1 is charged to the MOC and the other could be charged to the Supe. The Supe can not nom, but can appt if someone has the nom from another source.

officer · Dec 1, 2009

Pima said:
It takes forever to understand the process because there are so many intricacies within the appointment process

I here ya Pima, I think if Coast Guard wasn't our first choice (no nom required), I would be going stark raving mad. I have no clue about the whole "who gets charged" system. Kinda sounds like a trip to Macy's to me

You have explained well, I'm just a little slow I guess :shake:

. The way I see it is we have filed for all available noms we are eligible for. If we get one-- great! But if we get turned down by the CG--total devastation!

NavIss58 · Dec 1, 2009

Sooo....I should just disregard the math, stop focusing on the numbers and be patient. Hopefully, with a strong application and some determination......

We'll just have to wait and see, I guess.

Thanks all. :wink:

Pima · Dec 1, 2009

Sooo....I should just disregard the math, stop focusing on the numbers and be patient. Hopefully, with a strong application and some determination..

SHORT ANSWER...YES

Unless you have an LOA with a nom or a Principal, it is now a waiting game. Many posters can tell you of candidates with 4-5 noms that did not get an appt, and ones who did not get an MOC nom from a non-spread the wealth state, but got in VP.

Look at it this way, it is fate. If you did everything to submit the best application it is out of your hands, and maybe there is a different path you are to walk. It is great to be appointed, but it is not the end all be all regarding your future. We know many SA grads who got passed over for O-5, and many ROTC who got picked up for O-6. The SA will open doors early on, but it is what you do when the doors open that will be your make or break as an Officer.

The next few months will be difficult as you wait to see your fate, especially when others announce they have the golden ticket, but you are at the beginning of your military path, and your dreams are still achievable regardless of the commissioning source. Hold tight

Best wishes and my fingers crossed that you get the golden ticket.